Editorial: We need independent commisioners in the city

Whetstone is a businessman and entrepreneur -- and very successful at both. He has a background in governance, sitting on the St. Augustine City Commission from 1981 to 1985.

Whetstone is suing the City of St. Augustine in an attempt to halt the construction of the proposed $17 million parking garage complex. He believes the city should be compelled to put the project to the voters in a referendum. Because of this he's seen by some as a single-issue candidate. We did not find that to be true in our meeting with him. He thinks the city's being run badly -- at the commission level. He rails against costly trips by city officials to Spain. He disagreed with the vote to double city commission salaries. He says the commission squandered a good plan and a half-million dollars when it voted to kill the parking garage project behind the Lightner Museum. He says the city is ignoring basic infrastructure needs. Boles is a respected attorney who says his strength is community involvement. We've seen this first-hand, and for years. On a scale of one to 10, Boles' efforts in the community are about an 11. On the parking garage/traffic plan, Boles says there are questions still unanswered. He firmly believes that St. Augustine is "clogged up" in terms of traffic. He wants to see a traffic plan enacted. He thinks the overall plan is a good one, but has questions about the amount of the initial investment and the dividend it may pay. He says the VIC lot currently brings in $700,000 and the garage's estimated revenues will be only $400,000 more.

Boles is also strong on historic preservation. He says the city needs to make a better deal with the state on the historic properties it leases. Both he and Whetstone think the city needs a viable business plan for the properties in order to get that done. Boles also recognizes that without a lease commitment of well over five years, the chances of ever endowing a foundation for historic properties are slim.

Both of these candidates are informed, smart guys. Either on their own would make substantial contributions to city government. But there's the rub. Whetstone is campaigning with two other candidates in order to wrap up a majority on the city commission: a pre-determined majority which has already decided how it will vote as a bloc on the important issues. We do not believe that's the way government should be run. The city commission should be made up of five individuals who look at issues openly. They listen to different sides, they discuss, and they deliberate. This might be a little nave politically speaking. But it doesn't mean we shouldn't attempt to keep city government independent and responsive to all ideas and ideals. We know Joe Boles to be a man who works with people -- whether or not agreement exists. We do not believe he'll tie himself or his reputation to any "special interest" other than our city's. He's not afraid to take a stand -- by himself if need be.